Since the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, China has spent approximately $120 million in assistance and resources in thirteen disease stricken countries
. The World Health Organization has documented around eight hundred medical workers from China aiding in the epidemic. The vice-minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Cui Li, announced that China will continue to send resources and medical workers to aid in the outbreak.
Cui stated, in response to questing China’s interest in Ebola, “To contain the epidemic where it started is in the best public health interests of people in the rest of the world, including the Chinese.” Cui declared that the Chinese will continue the outflow of resources for at least six more months. This is the biggest aid program that China has put into action. According to documents, at least ten thousand of the medicals staff combatting Ebola in West Africa have been trained by the Chinese.
The Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, promised the WHO that China has an obligation to dedicate their resources to aid the infected countries as a leading nation. Keqiang said, “China will also help African countries to develop their health systems so that they can adapt to the post-Ebola era.” A WHO worker, Margaret Chan, described China’s role in the aid against the epidemic as “exemplary.” China is setting an example for other countries with their immense response teams and aid.
Source: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-04/06/content_20007083.htm
This is a good change, and one that has domestic ramifications: China was the source of SARS and also of at least one of the bad (swine) flu epidemics. At that time they did not have a functioning epidemiology/public health infrastructure in place. Now they do, and their staff are getting first-hand training (I started to write “…exposure”) to an epidemic to reinforce their training and its relevance in saving lives, lots of lives.
This serves as just another example of China’s debut as an increasingly developed nation. As the prof said, hands on experience in combatting and training others to combat such an epidemic could prove invaluable in the event that China experience a domestic epidemic of its own. Considering the population density of China’s largest cities, a serious disease outbreak would require swift and efficient response from an experienced team.
Going off Moody’s comment:
China is showing the world they are willing to step up and act like the powerhouse they are. As China asserts its presence in the world, it will be interesting to see when and where they decide to lead. For now, this is a step in the right direction for a newly developed nation.
Also, this seems to be a great move of China in positioning itself besides the US, which has long been thought of as the most reliable philanthropist against disasters.
The fight against Ebola in Africa is definitely a great opportunity for China to increase its “moral stock.” The country has obviously made great strides its development and growth, but now they are at a point where they can start to think about the welfare of others too. That being said, however, China’s medical field is under fire right now as many published papers and studies are being redacted for falsified information and peer-revision processes.